Milford to host inaugural Paddle/Pedal Festival on Saturday

Kayakers, runners, walkers bicyclists and nature lovers will all have a reason to participate in Saturday's inaugural Paddle Pedal Festival in downtown Milford.

By Scott Goss

1 WHAT IS IT?

Kayakers, runners, walkers bicyclists and nature lovers will all have a reason to participate in Saturday's inaugural Paddle Pedal Festival in downtown Milford.

The event will start at 7:30 a.m. with a free "paddle in" for kayaks, rafts and paddle boards that will run from the Mispillion Marina at the Route 1/Route 36 Bypass to the new Chaney-Wilmont Greenway on the south side of the Mispillion River.

After the watercrafts arrive at their destination about 8:15 a.m., Downtown Milford Inc. and Milford Parks and Recreation will co-host a dedication of the recently completed $380,000 greenway, the final section of the Riverwalk that now runs continuously from Silver Lake to Goat Island.

The festival will continue with a 20K bike ride that starts at 9 a.m. and a competitive 10K Run/Walk that begins at 9:15 a.m.

Both of those events will start at the Chaney-Wilmont Greenway on Marshall Street and run east along Route 36 to the Cedar Creek boat ramp off Lighthouse Road. The eastbound lane of the roadway will be closed to motor vehicle traffic to accommodate the event.

While bicyclists will make the return trip as a part of their event, shuttles will be returning runners and walkers to the greenway, according to co-organizer Marilyn Ambrose, chairwoman of DMI's promotions committee.

Following a brief awards ceremony for the runners at the Chaney-Wilmont Greenway slated for 10:30 a.m., a picnic lunch will be offered to the participants of all the events.

2 WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Registration is required although anyone interested in participating in the paddling, pedaling, walking or running events can register at the Chaney-Wilmont Greenway off Marshall Street from 7 a.m. up until minutes before the various events begin, according to Milford Parks and Recreation Director Gary Emory.

Advance registration also is available online at downtownmilford.org until 5 p.m. on Friday.

Also, no iPods, headsets, animals, roller bladers or baby stollers will be permitted on the course.

3 WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENT?

Emory said the idea for the event began as a way to celebrate the completion of the 1,000-foot-long Chaney-Wilmont Greenway and evolved into a showcase of Milford's commitment to eco-tourism and healthy lifestyles.

"The whole thing has been 25 years in the making so we really want to celebrate that and have a way for everyone to enjoy the Riverwalk while doing it."